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The National Football League has announced its 32 nominees, one from each organization, for the Salute to Service Award.
The award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who make exceptional efforts to honor and support the military and veteran communities, and Christian McCaffrey and Jim Harbaugh are among the nominees.
The San Francisco 49ers running back’s commitment to the military community stems from a deep respect for service and a belief in supporting physical and mental well-being. The McCaffrey Foundation’s flagship initiative, 23andTroops, focuses on healing post-traumatic stress through athlete-level care. The foundation has invested nearly $700,000 in military support and also paid vacation pay balances for 515 military families.
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Christian McCaffrey and Jim Harbaugh are among the nominees for the NFL Salute to Service award. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images. Denny Medley/Imagn Images)
McCaffrey is also actively involved in Salute to Service, connecting with active duty members, veterans and Gold Star families, and showcases 23andTroops through the league’s My Cause My Cleats initiative. He represented the Wounded Warrior Project in 2019 and 2020 and The Logan Project in each of the last two seasons.
Since taking over as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, Harbaugh has hosted TAPS families at practices, hosted Gold Star families at games and brought team activities directly to military bases and naval aircraft carriers. Prior to this season, Harbaugh welcomed more than 2,500 military members, veterans and their families to two training camp practices at the University of San Diego.
He also invited members of the U.S. Coast Guard to participate in “Wise Words,” a tradition in which distinguished guests share an inspirational message during the post-practice team meeting. Later that day, the entire team visited the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, where hundreds of active-duty sailors watched the Chargers tour, participated in drills, met with players and coaches, and showed the team around the aircraft carrier.
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh during a press conference at The Bolt in El Segundo CA, USA on May 7, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)
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“The Salute to Service Award nominees are extraordinary advocates for the military community and demonstrate the impact that individuals can have on the lives of those who serve,” said retired Maj. Gen. Bob Whittle, USAA senior vice president and chief of military affairs. “USAA and the NFL proudly celebrate these deserving nominees for honoring, empowering and connecting with those who have worn our nation’s uniform, and we encourage fans around the world to come together to show their appreciation.”
Other notables include 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year Andrew Whitworth, 2024 finalist Aaron Jones, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson and Philadelphia Eagles game day supervisor Lindsay Hartig, who graduated from West Point in 2006, served in Iraq and is the only woman nominated this year.
Hartig is one of four American veterans nominated for the award, along with Denver Broncos association marketing coordinator Luis Barajas, New England Patriots safety Fred Waggett and New Orleans Saints director of network operations Kelvin Smith.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Fans can vote for three finalists for the award, which will be announced in January. The winner will be revealed at the NFL Honors during Super Bowl week.
George Kittle, last year’s winner, will join the Salute to Service Award panel, recognizing the long tradition of helping select the newest recipient.
